From Publishers Weekly
Smith (Guilt by Silence) proves herself one of Mira's strongest authors, though the plot of her latest woman-in-jeopardy suspense thriller plot involving psycho baby-killers may put off some readers. The murdered Michael Kazarian, enigmatic husband of Laurel Madden, and former lover of Claire Gillespie, looms large in this excellent page-turner. Laurel, a top FBI profiler, and Claire, a star news magazine reporter, are unexpectedly brought together because of the headline-grabbing "Totnap" case. Four infants have been kidnapped in Los Angeles, and two bodies recovered. The grisly circumstances make romance difficult, if not quite impossible, but love has a way, and strong, handsome FBI men Dan Sprague and Gar Doucet are hard to resist. Doucet's dark allure does a number on Claire, and the sexual tension there is deliciously palpable. But sexual tension isn't all. Taylor manages to keep the suspense taut as well, as she keeps readers guessing whether ice-queen Laurel murdered her husband with Doucet's help. The publisher compares Smith to John Grisham and in fact, it's a perfectly plausible comparison?though Smith's a better prose stylist. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Claire Gillespie is a news magazine reporter trying to finish a piece on the Russian mafia in New York when she uncovers some disturbing ties to a kidnapping/murder case in California. Dan Sprague, an old friend of the family, conveniently heads the investigation, giving Claire access to inside information. She is shadowed by an ex-FBI agent who keeps dropping in on her and leaving hints about the killer. When Claire, her niece, and the ex-FBI agent are all trapped by the killer, the ugly truth about the dark side of human nature is revealed. Smith writes a compelling story that is very well abridged. Details and descriptions are accurate, and dialog moves the story forward. Masterful reading by Barbara Rosenblat makes this an excellent listen for thriller fans. Recommended.Joanna M. Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Coll. of Continuing Education Lib., ProvidenceCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
At times, Barbara Rosenblat reads Taylor Smith's new mystery like a children's librarian sharing Dr. Seuss on a Saturday morning. Random Acts involves, in part, the kidnap and murder of small children, and such grisly subject matter calls for a hard-nosed narrative tone instead of the breathless intensity that is Rosenblat's style. But Rosenblat does well with accents, from Russian to Cajun, and her husky vocality gives the book's big love scene more steam than a lunch-buffet special. The mood she manages to create is almost enough to cover up Smith's too obvious plot line. D.A.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A random predator is terrorizing Southern California. After children start disappearing, it's up to the FBI's finest to stop a killer. Criminal profiler Laurel Madden is at the top of her field. But being the best has its price, which is why she understands the criminal mind so well. Reporter Claire Gillespie intends to rip away the veil of secrecy that surrounds and protects Madden. Claire has evidence that the FBI agent committed murder and got away with it--until now.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly